Tuesday, January 15, 2008

When it comes to certain (often times fitness) things, it's easy for me to say yes without really thinking it through. Like when a friend of mine and I decided we were going to walk the Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville... we went out maybe 3 times to walk and then stopped; walking the Greenway on a regular basis (for those of you not in TN, is a walking path kind of like the forest preserve paths), bike riding... I'm really good at quitting at fitness related things.

I tell you all of these things so that you know that while I'm serious about what I'm about to say... it may not happen. I just feel the need to let you all know since I'm trying to decide wether or not I can motivate myself enough to do it! (and, I truly can use the encouragement)

I'm thinking about doing the Breast Cancer 3 Day (walking of course!)... 3 days, 20 miles a day. I'm sure you understand when I say it's kind of intimidating to think about!!

I am currently waiting for information in the mail to wisely make a decision while praying about wether or not I can do it. I think I can do it. I just need a lot of training; it's 60miles in 3 days, after all. But since this is my year... since I am determined to get in shape and lose weight, why not set a goal for myself. And I have a coworker that said she'd walk it (and train) with me. I have several months to get ready. Two of the cities they are holding it in are Chicago (August 8-10) and Atlanta (October 24-26). I think we've pretty much decided on Atlanta for the one we're going to do.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

As many of you know, I give up something for lent every year. Sometimes it’s something as basic as TV, and there have times where it’s been much more; sometimes it’s a combination of things. This year will be no different… but I don’t know what I’m giving up yet. I didn’t even realize until late last week that it started so early this year, so I’ve got less then a month to figure it out…

Here are a few possibilities:

1. No going out to eat2. No TV3. Staying in; even on the weekends (I’ve done this before; it’s kinda like giving up my friends**)4. No high-carb/quick meals (no pasta or frozen pizza or ramen… whatever will a single girl who hates cooking for 1 do!! Start planning ahead? Shocking!! Haha)5. No movies *gasp* probably harder for me than no TV…

Just a few possibilities… Stay tuned… the Lenten season starts February 6th.

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All of these things also tie into what I consider my plans for 2008. I don’t make resolutions because resolutions (just like rules) are made to be broken. I would really like this year to do several things:

1. I want to really start reading my Bible daily again. I feel my Faith wavering more often as I’m making decisions about life and I need to get myself back into the Word and back to the basic foundation of what I believe.

2. I want to start working out on a regular basis again, as well. Ironically when I worked for Lowes walking around a warehouse all day, I was a member at the MAC and I did a decent job of getting there a couple of times a week (especially my last few months at Lowes). Now that I sit/stand around all day I end up feeling lethargic after work and want to be a bum. Crazy, I know! So to steal Rachel Baby’s phrase (that she stole from someone else) “Lose Weight 2008” 3 it kind of sounds like a political campaign slogan, doesn’t it?

3. But even more then just losing weight… getting healthy. Since I started the “fish-etarian” (as a coworker calls it) lifestyle, I know I haven’t really been eating correctly. Making sure I’m still getting enough protein and iron etc… in my diet. I know I need to really finish reading the books I have as well as start using the ginormous vegetarian cookbook I got from Ken and Jenn for Christmas (yay!). I’m contented in my choice of eating lifestyle; I just need to start doing it right.

4. Figure out a budget… and really stick to it! I’ve been seriously working off of a budget for the last 6 months-ish, but I didn’t stick to it as closely as I should have, and I really want to get some $$ in savings for the just in cases of life expenses… Besides, I love my car, but she’s getting old (14 years) and I’m going to need a new one eventually, so it’d be good to have some savings for her, too. *yes, my car is a girl… her name is Jenna*

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Not to bad, huh? Everything’s all tied in together in effect; it’s just me trying to get my life in order. Start taking care of me, not just living life by the seat of my pants but actually planning how I spend my days. You know schedules and all that jazz. I’ve never done it before, but I think I’ll be able to do it… I used to often say yes to going out with friends when I knew I had things that needed done around my apartment (like cleaning and laundry!). I’m going to try to be responsible… wish me luck =0)

(** I know it seems wrong to give up friends and all, but it actually ends up to be really fulfilling. The whole point of lent is to give something up in order to become closer to God… so if my friends are out on a Saturday night and I’m at home… maybe no TV allowed… could be a good thing… )

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

I got my new iPod nano in the mail yesterday, and something on the back of my new toy’s little plastic container made me chuckle when I read it, so I thought I’d share. It’s after the list of all the things found in the little box like the earphones, the iPod, the USB cable… and the things you need like iTunes… it is the very last sentence:

"Like a fine pair of jeans, iPod nano colors may vary and change over time."